Aircraft under-wing fueling nozzle system

Abstract

A modular nozzle system for refueling aircraft fuel tanks includes a nozzle valve linkage mechanism which permits the valve body to have a shorter length than previous designs. The nozzle may include a mechanical fuse for releasing the connection between the nozzle body and a fuel tank upon the application of predetermined forces. The nozzle may also include a swivel joint which facilitates positioning the nozzle for connection to a fuel tank. The nozzle may also include a quick disconnect assembly which facilitates connection of the nozzle to various hose end connection. The system also may comprise an assembly fixture for assembling the mechanical fuse and a test fixture for testing the release force of the mechanical fuse.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A nozzle, comprising: a nozzle body including an inlet end and an outlet end;   nozzle collar adapter means connectable to a fuel tank adapter; and   mechanical fuse means releasably connecting said nozzle collar adapter to said outlet end; and   being released upon either axial or lateral loads exceeding respective predetermined amounts.   
     
     
       2. A nozzle according to claim 1 further comprising: a nozzle collar mounted to said nozzle body, one of said nozzle collar or said nozzle collar adapter having an annular ring thereon;   a plurality of detents on the other of said nozzle collar or said nozzle collar adapter;   said mechanical fuse means including retainer means mounted on said annular ring, said detents in engagement with said retainer means for selectively maintaining a connection between said nozzle collar and said nozzle collar adapter; and   biasing means for controlling the force required to separate said nozzle collar adaptor from said nozzle collar.   
     
     
       3. A nozzle according to claim 2 further comprising biasing means for urging each of said detents against said retainer means. 
     
     
       4. A nozzle according to claim 1, further comprising: a nozzle valve shaft bearing mounted inside said nozzle body, said nozzle valve bearing including a slot therein;   a nozzle valve shaft extending through said nozzle valve shaft bearing;   a nozzle valve connected to said nozzle shaft, said nozzle valve being sealingly engageable with said outlet end of said nozzle body; and   linkage means for controlling the axial position of said nozzle valve relative to said outlet end, said linkage means including a connecting link reciprocally movable within said slot as said nozzle valve moves axially relative to said outlet end.   
     
     
       5. A nozzle according to claim 4 wherein said linkage means includes: an eccentric link connected to said connecting link; and   means for rotating said eccentric link to move said connecting link and said nozzle valve shaft within said nozzle valve shaft bearing to control the position of said nozzle valve.   
     
     
       6. A nozzle according to claim 5 further comprising: a pressure regulator housing rotatably connected to said inlet end of said nozzle body, said pressure regulator having an inlet end and an outlet end;   a first ball race formed between adjacent surfaces of said inlet end of said nozzle body and said outlet end of said pressure regulator housing;   a plurality of ball bearings retained within said ball race; and   seal means for controlling leakage between the adjacent surfaces of said pressure regulator housing and said inlet end of said nozzle body.   
     
     
       7. A nozzle according to claim 6 further comprising: a first disconnect half rotatably connected to the inlet end of said pressure regulator housing;   a second ball race formed between adjacent surfaces of said first disconnect half and said inlet end of said pressure regulator housing;   a second disconnect half demountably coupled to said first disconnect half; and   means for selectively maintaining the coupling between said first disconnect half and said second disconnect half.   
     
     
       8. A nozzle according to claim 7 further including: a plurality of locking lugs extending radially outward from said first disconnect half;   a plurality of mating lugs extending radially inward from said second disconnect half, said locking lugs and said mating lugs being engagable to form a connection between said first and second disconnect halves upon insertion of said upper disconnect half inside said second disconnect half and rotation of said first disconnect half relative to said second disconnect half to place said locking lugs in alignment with said mating lugs; and   means for selectively engaging said locking lugs and said mating lugs to retain said first disconnect half against rotation relative to said lower disconnect half.   
     
     
       9. A nozzle according to claim 8 wherein said selectively engaging means comprises a castellated sleeve slidably mounted upon said first disconnect half, said castellated sleeve having a plurality of retaining lugs extending therefrom for engaging said locking lugs and said mating lugs. 
     
     
       10. A nozzle according to claim 9 further comprising a spring retained upon said lower disconnect half, said spring having a tang for engagement between said locking lugs to retain said upper disconnect half against rotation relative to said lower disconnect half. 
     
     
       11. A nozzle according to claim 10 further comprising: a plurality of indexing ribs extending radially outward from said first disconnect half, said castellated sleeve having a plurality of indexing slots therein, said indexing slots corresponding to said indexing ribs to retain said castellated sleeve against rotation relative to said first disconnect half; and   spring means mounted to said first disconnect half for retaining said castellated sleeve against axial movement away from said locking lugs.   
     
     
       12. A nozzle according to claim 10 further comprising a pressure regulator mounted within said pressure regulator housing, said pressure regulator including a sleeve valve movable in said pressure regulator housing outlet end between an open position and a closed position for controlling fluid pressure in said inlet end of said nozzle body, said sleeve valve having a concave end, said linkage means nesting within said concave end of sleeve valve when said sleeve valve is open and said nozzle valve is closed. 
     
     
       13. A nozzle according to claim 1 further comprising: a pressure regulator housing rotatably coupled to said inlet end of said nozzle body, said pressure regulator having an inlet end and an outlet end;   a first ball race formed between mating surfaces of said inlet end of said nozzle body and said pressure regulator housing;   a plurality of ball bearings retained within said ball race; and   seal means for controlling leakage between mating surfaces of said pressure regulator housing and said inlet end of said nozzle body.   
     
     
       14. A nozzle according to claim 13 further comprising: an first disconnect half rotatably coupled to the inlet end of said pressure end regulator housing;   a second ball race formed between mating surfaces of said first disconnect half and said inlet end of said pressure regulator housing;   means for demountably coupling a second disconnect half to said upper disconnect half; and   means for maintaining the coupling between said first disconnect half and said second disconnect half.   
     
     
       15. A nozzle according to claim 14 wherein said means for maintaining the coupling between said first and second disconnect halves includes: a plurality of locking lugs extending radially outward from said first disconnect half;   a plurality of mating lugs extending radially inward from said second disconnect half, said locking lugs and said mating lugs being engageable to form a connection between said first and second disconnect halves upon insertion of said first disconnect half inside said second disconnect half and rotation of said first disconnect half relative to said second disconnect half to place said locking lugs in alignment with said mating lugs; and   a castellated sleeve around said first disconnect half, said castellated sleeve having a plurality of retaining lugs extending therefrom, said castellated sleeve being slidable upon said first disconnect half for selective engagement of said retaining lugs with said locking lugs and said mating lugs to retain said first disconnect half against rotation relative to said lower disconnect half.   
     
     
       16. A nozzle according to claim 15 further comprising a spring retained upon said second disconnect half, said spring having a tang for engagement between said locking lugs to retain said upper disconnect half against rotation relative to said lower disconnect half. 
     
     
       17. A nozzle according to claim 16 further comprising: a plurality of indexing ribs extending radially outward from said first disconnect half, said castellated sleeve having a plurality of indexing slots therein, said indexing slots corresponding to said indexing ribs to retain said castellated sleeve against rotation relative to said first disconnect half; and   spring means mounted to said first disconnect half for retaining said castellated sleeve against axial movement away from said locking lugs.   
     
     
       18. A nozzle, comprising: a nozzle body including an inlet end for admitting a fluid and an outlet end for emitting the fluid;   a nozzle valve shaft bearing mounted inside said nozzle body, said nozzle valve shaft bearing including a slot therein;   a nozzle valve shaft extending through said nozzle valve shaft bearing;   a nozzle valve connected to said nozzle valve shaft for controlling the flow of fluids between said inlet end and said outlet end of said nozzle body; and   linkage means for controlling the axial position of said nozzle valve shaft within said nozzle body, said linkage means including a connecting link reciprocally movable within said slot as said nozzle valve moves axially relative to said nozzle body.   
     
     
       19. A nozzle according to claim 18 wherein said linkage means includes: an eccentric link connected to said connecting link; and   means for rotating said eccentric link to move said nozzle valve shaft within said nozzle valve shaft bearing to control the position of said nozzle valve.   
     
     
       20. A nozzle according to claim 19 further comprising a pressure regulator connected to said inlet end of said nozzle body; said pressure regulator including: a regulator housing;   a regulator piston slidably mounted within said regulator housing between an open position and a closed position, said regulator piston having a concave end, said linkage means nesting within said concave end when said nozzle valve is closed;   biasing means for urging said regulator piston toward the open position;   a sleeve valve positioned within said regulator housing and connected to said regulator piston, said sleeve valve and said piston being movable in response to changes in fluid pressure in said nozzle body to control the flow rate of fluid through said regulator housing to control fluid pressure within said nozzle body; and   sealing means for sealingly engaging said sleeve valve if the fluid pressure within said nozzle body exceeds a predetermined value.   
     
     
       21. A nozzle according to claim 20 wherein said piston housing has a passage therethrough to provide fluid communication between the inlet end and the outlet end of said pressure regulator and further including a check valve positioned within said passage and biasing means for biasing said check valve in a closed position, said check valve permitting fluid flow from said regulator outlet end to said regulator inlet end to maintain the fuel pressure in said nozzle below a predetermined value. 
     
     
       22. A nozzle comprising: a nozzle body having an inlet end and an outlet end;   a first disconnect half connected to the inlet end of said nozzle body;   a plurality of locking lugs extending radially outward from said first disconnect half;   a second disconnect half having a plurality of mating lugs extending radially inward for locking engagement with said locking lugs, said locking lugs and said mating lugs coupling said first and second disconnect halves together when said locking lugs and said mating lugs are intermeshed and rotated into axial alignment; and   means for selectively engaging said locking lugs and said mating lugs to retain said first disconnect half and said second disconnect half against relative rotation, thereby selectively maintaining locking engagement of said locking lugs and said mating lugs.   
     
     
       23. A nozzle according to claim 22 wherein said selectively engaging means comprises a castellated sleeve slidably mounted upon said first disconnect half, said castellated sleeve having a plurality of retaining lugs extending therefrom for engaging said locking lugs and said mating lugs. 
     
     
       24. A nozzle according to claim 23 further comprising a spring retained upon said lower disconnect half, said spring having a tang for engagement between said locking lugs to retain said upper disconnect half against rotation relative to said lower disconnect half. 
     
     
       25. A nozzle according to claim 24 further comprising: a plurality of indexing ribs extending radially outward from said upper disconnect half, said castellated sleeve having a plurality of indexing slots therein, said indexing slots corresponding to said indexing ribs to retain said castellated sleeve against rotation relative to said upper disconnect half; and   spring means mounted to said upper disconnect half for retaining said castellated sleeve against axial movement away from said locking lugs.   
     
     
       26. A nozzle according to claim 18 further comprising: a first disconnect half rotatably connected to said inlet end of said nozzle body;   a plurality of locking lugs extending radially outward from said first disconnect half;   a second disconnect half demountably coupled to said first disconnect half;   a plurality of mating lugs extending radially inward from said second disconnect half, said locking lugs and said mating lugs being engageable to form a connection between said first and second disconnect halves upon insertion of said first disconnect half inside said second disconnect half and rotation of said first disconnect half relative to said second disconnect half to place said locking lugs in alignment with said mating lugs; and   means for selectively engaging said locking lugs and said mating lugs to retain said first disconnect half against rotation relative to said second disconnect half.   
     
     
       27. A nozzle according to claim 26 wherein said selectively engaging means comprises a castellated sleeve slidably mounted upon said first disconnected half, said castellated sleeve having a plurality of retaining lugs extending therefrom for engaging said locking lugs and said mating lugs. 
     
     
       28. A nozzle according to claim 27 further comprising a spring retained upon said second disconnect half, said spring having a tang for engagement between said locking lugs to retain said first disconnect half against rotation relative to said second disconnect half. 
     
     
       29. A nozzle according to claim 28 further comprising: a plurality of indexing ribs extending radially outward from said first disconnect half, said castellated sleeve having a plurality of indexing slots therein, said indexing slots corresponding to said indexing ribs to retain said castellated sleeve against rotation relative to said first disconnect half; and   spring means mounted to said first disconnected half for retaining said castellated sleeve against axial movement away from said locking lugs.   
     
     
       30. A nozzle, comprising: a nozzle body including an inlet end and an outlet end;   a housing rotatably connected to said inlet end of said nozzle body, said housing having an inlet end and an outlet end;   a first race formed between adjacent surfaces of said inlet end of said nozzle body and said outlet end of said housing;   a plurality of bearings retained within said race;   a disconnect half rotatably connected to the inlet end of said housing;   a second race formed between adjacent surfaces of said disconnect half and said inlet end of said housing; and   a plurality of bearings retained within said second race.   
     
     
       31. A nozzle according to claim 30 further comprising seal means for controlling leakage between adjacent surfaces of said outlet of said housing and said inlet end of said nozzle body. 
     
     
       32. A nozzle according to claim 30 further comprising seal means for controlling leakage between the adjacent surfaces of said disconnect half and said inlet end of said housing. 
     
     
       33. A nozzle according to claim 40 wherein said seal means for controlling leakage between the adjacent surfaces of said inlet end of said housing and said disconnect half includes: a first O-ring mounted in said inlet end of said housing;   a second O-ring mounted in said disconnect half; and   a teflon slipper seal floatably mounted between said first and second O-rings.   
     
     
       34. A nozzle, comprising: a nozzle body including an inlet end and an outlet end;   a pressure regulator housing having an inlet end and an outlet end, said outlet of said pressure regulator housing being coupled to said inlet end of said nozzle body;   a valve mounted in said pressure regulator housing, said valve being movable between an open position and a closed position in response to changes in fluid pressure in said nozzle body to control the flow rate of fluid through said regulator housing and to control the fluid pressure within said nozzle body;   means for urging said sleeve valve toward the open position with a predetermined force:   and means for moving said valve to the closed position when fluid pressure within said nozzle body exerts said predetermined force on said regulator piston.   
     
     
       35. A nozzle according to claim 34 wherein said valve is a sleeve valve and wherein said means for moving said valve to the closed position includes a piston connected to said valve, said piston being positioned within said pressure regulator housing to have an end exposed to fluid pressure within said nozzle body, said piston being reciprocally movable within a cavity in said pressure regulator housing. 
     
     
       36. A nozzle according to claim 35 wherein said pressure regulator housing has a vent therein for maintaining said cavity at ambient air pressure. 
     
     
       37. A nozzle according to claim 35 further including means for permitting fluid flow from said outlet end of said pressure regulator housing to said inlet end of said pressure regulator housing in response to fluid pressure greater than a predetermined valve in said outlet end of said pressure regulator housing. 
     
     
       38. A nozzle according to claim 1 wherein said mechanical fuse includes: a nozzle collar mounted to said nozzle body, said nozzle collar having an annular ring therein;   a wire mounted in said annular ring;   a detent ring placed around said nozzle collar, said detent ring having a plurality of cavities therein;   a plurality of detents mounted within said detent ring such that one of said detents is mounted in each of said plurality of cavities, each of said detents having an end engaged with said wire to retain said detent ring and said nozzle collar adapter means upon said nozzle collar, said ends of said detents being movable over said wire in response to predetermined forces, each of said plurality of detents having a chamfered surface adjacent said end for sliding engagement with said wire after disengagement of said end from said wire.   
     
     
       39. A nozzle according to claim 1 wherein said nozzle is configured for connection to an aircraft fuel tank having an aircraft adapter connected thereto and an aircraft fuel tank valve mounted therein, the aircraft fuel tank valve being biased to a normally closed position, further comprising: a nozzle valve mounted inside said nozzle body, said nozzle valve being reciprocally movable between an open position and a closed position; and   means for moving said nozzle valve between the open and closed positions thereof, said nozzle valve being aligned with said aircraft fuel tank valve when said nozzle is connected to said aircraft fuel tank adapter, said nozzle valve opening said aircraft fuel tank valve as said nozzle valve moves toward said open position and retaining said aircraft fuel tank valve in the open position for supplying fuel to said aircraft fuel tank, said nozzle valve being withdrawn from said aircraft fuel tank valve in response to release of said mechanical fuse to permit said aircraft fuel tank valve to return to the closed position thereof to limit fuel spillage from said aircraft fuel tank.   
     
     
       40. A nozzle according to claim 5, further including a crank shaft connected to said eccentric link, said crank shaft including a crank operating handle formed as a single piece therewith. 
     
     
       41. A nozzle according to claim 1, further comprising: a first disconnect half rotatably connected to the inlet end of said nozzle body;   a second disconnect half demountably coupled to said first disconnect half; and   means for selectively maintaining the coupling between said first disconnect half and said second disconnect half.   
     
     
       42. A nozzle according to claim 41, further comprising: a pressure regulator housing having an inlet end and an outlet end, said outlet of said pressure regulator housing being coupled to said inlet end of said nozzle body;   a valve mounted in said pressure regulator housing, said valve being moveable between an open position and a closed position in response to changes in fluid pressure in said nozzle body to control the flow rate of fluid through said regulator housing and to control the fluid pressure within said nozzle body;   means for urging said sleeve valve toward the open position with a predetermined force; and   means for moving said valve to the closed position when fluid pressure within said nozzle body exerts said predetermined force on said regulator piston.   
     
     
       43. A nozzle according to claim 1, further comprising: a pressure regulator housing having an inlet end and an outlet end, said outlet of said pressure regulator housing being coupled to said inlet end of said nozzle body;   a valve mounted in said pressure regulator housing, said valve being moveable between an open position and a closed position in response to changes in fluid pressure in said nozzle body to control the flow rate of fluid through said regulator housing and to control the fluid pressure within said nozzle body;   means for urging said sleeve valve toward the open position with a predetermined force; and   means for moving said valve to the closed position when fluid pressure within said nozzle body exerts said predetermined force on said regulator piston.   
     
     
       44. A nozzle according to claim 4, further comprising: a pressure regulator housing having an inlet end and an outlet end, said outlet of said pressure regulator housing being coupled to said inlet end of said nozzle body;   a valve mounted in said pressure regulator housing, said valve being moveable between an open position and a closed position in response to changes in fluid pressure in said nozzle body to control the flow rate of fluid through said regulator housing and to control the fluid pressure within said nozzle body;   means for urging said sleeve valve toward the open position with a predetermined force; and   means for moving said valve to the closed position when fluid pressure within said nozzle body exerts said predetermined force on said regulator piston.   
     
     
       45. A nozzle according to claim 34, further comprising: a first disconnect half rotatably connected to the inlet end of said pressure regulator housing;   a second disconnect half demountably coupled to said first disconnect half; and   means for selectively maintaining the coupling to said first disconnect half and said second disconnect half.   
     
     
       46. A nozzle according to claim 45, further comprising: a nozzle valve shaft bearing mounted inside said nozzle body, said nozzle valve shaft bearing including a slot therein;   a nozzle valve shaft extending through said nozzle valve shaft bearing;   a nozzle valve connected to said nozzle shaft, said nozzle valve being sealingly engageable with said outlet end of said nozzle body; and   linkage means for controlling the axial position of said nozzle valve relative to said outlet end, said linkage means including a connecting link reciprocally moveable within said slot as said nozzle valve moves axially relative to said outlet end.   
     
     
       47. A nozzle according to claim 4, further comprising: a first disconnect half rotatably connected to the inlet end of said nozzle body;   a second disconnect half demountably coupled to said first disconnect half; and   means for selectively maintaining the coupling between said first disconnect half and said second disconnect half.